Wednesday, March 31, 2010

* There was a special moment last Saturday as Railway Union legend Brendan Smyth lined out to play for the first time in his sixth decade of adult league hockey in Leinster, drawing a guard of honour from both UCD III and his own fifth eleven.

Smyth made his senior debut back in the 1960s and has since served as captain of many club teams as well as taking on the club captain and president roles while also serving as an umpire for the LHUA.

He was also instrumental in setting up the Park Avenue club's colts section in which he still coaches 25 years on. From that youth system, daughter Emma has risen through the ranks to take her place in the senior international set-up to add an extra cherry on top of an outstanding contribution to the sport in the province.

* Carol Metchette has been confirmed as one of just four European umpires to be included in the roster for the Women's World Cup, set to be played in Argentina later this year.

Metchette is currently in San Diego where she is officiating in the first of the three World Cup Qualifying tournaments.